Closure device for containers



March 3, 1953 A. D. PAULL ETAL 2,630,239v

GLOSURE DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 5, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 34 lea 35 1 v 25 I Enventors M I i mbrosjfflpayzz I u Ge 07:? rag z M m Fly. i I I Gttofnegs Patented Mar. 3, 1 953- UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE 2,630,239 ciost'iitii iiEVfCE FOR commens- Anibrose D; Paull ma George A":'Kraatz1--Wheling, W.'Va;., assignors to- Wheeling- Stamping; Qompany-,;Wheeling, W. Van; acorporation of West Virginia Hmilfat ioii iamiify a, miei-seriamh were 2' Glaiins: 01. Zan -3'1) mve'n't'wn" 'reiat'es w closures and to the method of making the same, ana' is amcuiany applieabie' to closures for oellapsibletiib's'and siniila'f containers} although-' its 1 utility is" not restr ic'te'd to stich lise-l' The familiar collapsible tube; Suh as" isusd for tboth paste alfid variiis dtfiei t'oilet preparat tioxis,- has heretofore generally been provided With-a screw cap that is threaded onto the neck of the tube; and which is Y completely removed vi'rhei'l it desired to disehaigethe dontfits 'of the tilb'eL Vaf'16nsl"attempt s"have been made to piiiiiide s'o-c'alledeabtiv'e' caps" wherein the (sap i's 'retaihed drilth tilbe' but is moved from a closed to an" opened'position. For'the most-part; such devices" as hfetbfore-desi'gned and constiiiete'd have been" unsatisfactory; either because of difiiciilty of manflfaetiire or'aiphlieation to the' tube, or' bec'a'u'se of an unsightlyor unsanitary conditioii'th'at niay'iesiflt'ffo'm the' u'se" of such a device. The I present invention has for" its object to provide 'aQ CIO'SUI-G and niethod of forming the same designed to overcome the diiiieulties' pie'sentin niostdevice'sof this kindgainda't the" same tini'e provide-a closure-and method of making the same which" enables the'cio'sui'e to 'be'forined cheaply.

According to our invention the closure" is formed of two parts integrally connected from ageneraliyrubber-likecomposition. The materiai which-conhects"the"'-two parts constitutes a hinge; whileoneof'the parts form's'a' cab or closure and the'othef part provides'aimeans for seeuringi'the' 'assemb'ly' onto the eontainer.- It isebntmplated that the invention may-be made in various different form's, some preferred embodiments -of which 'are hereinafter more" fully described. Because'of being molded as-anintegral b'ody from a single massof plastic, the closures may" be cheaply produced, and because ofthefact that the connection-between the parts allows foi a re'latii'e hinging' niovr nent, the tube is openedand i closed by operation of the cab iii a -mari ner 'eomparable to-the complete-"r moval of the present 5 can; avoiding" the smearing and spreading of 1 the-' contents ov'er 'the' "end-'of the tube, sum-as resuits'fionithe ii'se-"of oarts whim slide'relat-ivelyone upon anothei'i H The invention may be more fuH-yunde'fstood b3 l feienc to the accompanying drawing-g in which: g I

Fig. 1 is an "enlarged view of the upiaer efid' of a" tube with the closur thereon} the closure being in the opened position," the viw'b'eirig the side elvation'f Fig'? w verticat seembnarwiewtime ewsanction shown in Fig; '1' with the closure in the closed (qr-"sealing posit on g V Fig: 3 is ai'views'imilafr to Fig: 1 of another embodiment of the invention} 7 I Fig; 4- is aj erticaTse'ctionabview' s'in'iilif to Big;- 2 showing the-closure of-Fig; '3 in thecios'ed position: I v I Figrii is a-view'partly in'-ver'tica1 s'eetion ar'id artly ineieva tion of another tube and can" assmbly showing still another ernbodimentbf oiii' invention;- with the closu'rein *the closed position;

Fig. 6'is a sim'ilar view'with the'closure'inthe onened position; and

Fig; 7 isa sideelev'ationof thciosiire dvioe applied to the neck'of *a containei';

Referring first-to Figs. 1" and- 2 'of-the' drawings; 2 designates" the uiiper end portion of aicollalp sibIe'" tube, the-thbebeing-provided with aneck 3. Instead of being threadedas is nowthegenera} practice", the neck-'is'p'rovidd with two-'spaiied annular groove'sl and-5", the groove-s'being closer to the outer end of the neck thanthe 'grooire'd;

The closure; which' is formed of aiubber-like material such for example-as natural or synthetie rubber; piasticizedvinyi acetate; or polyethylene; of" any' similar materiairiscomprised of an an? nuiizs 'or collar portion-6 and 'a"c1osm'*e"1iortioi1| these being-integrallyconnected by a conneetin'g flange portion 8. We have fonndpol'yethylerie to' 'be an especially satisfactory niateriah'but' as heretofore-indicated, other" compounds having similar rubberdike"propertiesimaifbe'used; polyethylene; however; being highly" abeeptable from bead-"and 'als'ohaving a g' at point di ,by the portion 20.

a mold which has one cavity designed to form the collar 6 and another cavity for forming the closure portion I, while the connecting portion 8 is provided by a groove that connects these two cavities.

In use the collar portion 6 is forced over the neck of thetube. The closure is then swung into the position shown in Fig. 2, the flexible portion 8 flexing as a hinge to permit the closure to be swung into position on the outer end of the neck of the tube. The interlocking bead and groove arrangement 9-4 serves to firmly retain the collar element on the neck, and it is held by friction from freely turning, while the interlocking bead and groove arrangement l5 provides a less firmly locking means for holding the closure in the closed or sealed position. The. interior of the cap or closure portion 1 is provided with a convexed or raised portion l2 which, when the closure is in the closed position, is compressed against the end of the tube to provide an effective seal. Because of the resilient rubber-like character of the material from which the cap is made, the customary sealing disk of fiber or like material is not required to be used inside the cap.

When it is desired to discharge the contents of the tube, the operator merely presses his thumb against the inner side of the projecting lug ll, creating sufficient pressure to disengage the bead I0 from the groove 5. The flexed resilient connecting portion 8 thereby then causes the closure to swing to the position shown in Fig. 1. The part 8 is sufficiently flexible, but sufficiently rigid, so that theclosure element 1 will not flop around while the contents are being discharged from the tube, and it will not turn freely on the tube. It is sufiiciently tight that it will not allow the contents of the container to leak or evaporate in transit or in stock.

Thus there is provided a simple closure which may be economically formed, which eliminates threads, and which is more or less permanently attached to the tube or other container. The invention further provides a cap I in which the closure part tends to stay in the open position once it has been lifted from engagement from the end of the tube, but which is releasably retained in the closed position when it is forced down on the end of the tube.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the general construction is much the same as that described in Figs. 1 and 2. However, it is often desirable, particularly where the collapsible tubes are formed wholly or partly of lead, to avoid any arrangement wherein the metallic neck of the .tube may be brushed against the tooth brush or shaving brush, as the case may be. The arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4 provides such protection against the metal end of the tube contacting the brush or other surface onto which the contents of the tube are being discharged.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the tube is designated 15, and

it is provided with a neck l6. In this instance the neck is relatively shorter than in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is provided with an angular annular,

groove H. I

The closure is also integrally formed of two parts, there being a collar part [8, a closure part l9, and an integral connecting strap 20. The cap is formed of material of the class previously described, and it is likewise molded as a unit with the two parts l8 and I9 integrally connected In this case, however, the collar portion I 8, which is of an internal diameter such as to snugly fit the neck of the tube,

and which has an internal bead 2| that engages in the groove ll of the neck, is slightly longer than the neck of the tube. It is preferably so constructed as to extend from the base of the neck beyond the free end of the neck. This is clearly shown in Fig. 4. The outside of the collar portion 18 is provided with an annular bead 22. The cap I9 is provided with an internal annular groove 23 for cooperating with the bead 22.

It will be noted that in Figs. 1 and 2 the connecting part 8 joins the skirt of the closure portion I with the upper edge of the collar 6. In Figs. 3 and 4 the connecting portion 20 joins the top portion of the closure with the collar l8 near the bottom of such collar. The skirt portion l9a of the closure is notched as indicated at I9b so that when the closure is swung from the fully open position shown in Fig. 3 to the fully closed position shown in Fig. 4, the skirt [9a of the closure can envelop and surround the sleeve pertion [8 while the notch 19b will provide clearance for the connector 20.

By inspection of Fig. 4, it will be seen that in this arrangement the cap is fitted over and embraces the collar I8, and it forms a seal with the collar H3. The collar thus provides a means on the neck of the tube for engaging the cap, instead of having the cap portion directly engage the metal. The closure portion is provided also with a lug lac at a point diametrically opposite the connector 20. This closure may be opened by pressing the thumb against the under side of this lug, and when the closure is open the connector 20 which is flexed when the cap is closed, tends to keep the cap in the opened position, and is preferably sufficiently rigid to keep the cap from flopping around excessively, and the collar, as in Fig. 1, prevents free rotation, being of a size to provide a good frictional grip on the tube neck. The inherent resilience of the connector 26 is utilized in this form as in Figs. 1 and 2 to provide a hinged connection.

It will be seen that when the cap is opened the contents of the tube may be discharged, and if the assembly is brought into contact with a brush, the bristles will contact the plastic or rubber collar l8, and not a metallic end of the tube.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, 25 designates the body of the tube, and 26 is the neck. The neck in this embodiment as in Fig. 1, is provided with two annular grooves 21 and 28, the groove 28 being nearer the outer end of the neck, and preferably being slightly smaller than the roove 21. The closure is constituted of a collar portion 29 and a closure portion 30. These two parts are molded together, being molded in the relation shown in Fig. 7. Actually the cap may be formed as a single one-piece cap, and subsequently converted into the hinged construction shown by cutting it to form a kerf designated 3i in Figs. 5 and '7, which almost but not quite completely separates the two parts of the assembly. This leaves them connected by an integral flexible hinge portion 32. The lower edge of the flange part 29 is formed as shown in Fig. 5 with a notch 33 therein that is under the hinge portion 32. The closure portion 30 is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly extending projection 34 which is also in line with the hinged portion 32. Diametrically opposite the hinged portion 32 the closure has a forwardly projecting lug or tip 35.

The interior of the closure part 30 is provided with a sealing surface 36 adapted to bear against the end of the tube and it is provided with an annular internal bead 37 adapted to engage the groove 28 in the neck of the tube. The collar part 28 is likewise provided with an internal bead 23a that engages the groove 27 in the neck of the tube, and it provides a tight frictional engagement that not only prevents the cap assembly from slipping off the tube, but also keeps it from freely turning.

In this construction the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 5 when they are applied to the end of the tube and the tube is closed. To open the tube for the discharge of contents, pressure is exerted against the tip or lug 35, causing the closure portion to hinge about the portion 28. It may be raised to the vertical position shown in Fig. 6. The opening of the tube in this case flexes the hinge portion and stretches it so that it has a tendency to fly shut. The projecting lug 34, upon opening of the closure, enters the notch 35 on the bottom edge of the collar portion 29 forming a resiliently-releasable latch that holds the closure portion open.

In the several embodiments of the invention as herein described, the closure assembly constitutes the collar portion with means for looking it onto the end of the tube, and a closure portion hingedly connected to the collar portion by an integral molded connection that serves as a hinge. In each of the several embodiments, the closure portion is provided with an annular means for interlocking with the neck of the tube to hold the closure shut. In all of the forms, provision is made for keeping the cap or closure part in the open position. This is effected in Figs. 1 and 3 by the inherent character of the connecting portions 8 and 20 respectively, and in Figs. 5 and 6 by the provision of a latching mechanism. In all of the different forms, the respective parts are integrally molded as a unit.

It will of course be understood that the form of cap shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is made of the same class of materials as described in connection with Fig. 1. It will also be noted that in each case the internal construction of the cap is such as to provide a seal for closing the end of the tube, which does not require the presence of a fiber washer, cork disk, or the like. The container has a substantially cylindrical neck so that it can be made similarly to present containers having a threaded neck with little or no alteration in the dies.

While we have described our invention as bein particularly applicable to collapsible tubes, and

have shown it used in such connection, it will be 5 understood that it may be likewise used on the necks of bottles, vials, and other containers. It

will also be apparent that various other changes and modifications may be made within the contemplation of our invention and under the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A closure device for application to the neck of a container, said device being formed of a resilient rubber-like substance having integral complementary parts, one of which is an annulus adapted to be retained on the neck of the container to which the closure is applied and the other of which is a cap part adapted to swing into and out of container-closing position, a connecting body between the cap and the annulus constituting a hinge between the cap and the annulus, the annulus having means for interlocking with the neck of such container to restrain it against endwise movement, the cap part having a skirt for embracing the neck of the container, means in said skirt for cooperating with means on the container neck for releasably holding the cap in closed position on the end of the tube, and other means for releasably holding the cap in open position, said last-named means including a lug on the cap part, the collar being notched to receive the lug when the cap part is swung to a position where it is substantially perpendicular to the end of the container, said connecting body joining the top part of the annulus to the free edge of the skirt.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a closure cap fonned of rubberous material, the cap having the skirt, the cap being severed transversely of the skirt almost but not entirely across the full diameter whereby the cap is separated into a collar portion and a closure portion connected by the unsevered portion, the cap portion having an outwardly and downwardly projecting lug thereon in line with the unsevered portion, the collar having a notch therein under the unsevered portion for cooperation with said lug, said lug and notch providing a latch for holding the closure part in an open position.

AMBROSE D. PAULL. GEORGE A. KRAATZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date ,928,445 Boyd Sept. 26, 1933 1,958,466 Boyd May 15, 1934 2,168,822 Fink Aug. 8, 1939 2,295,658 Hogg Sept. 15, 19%2 

